Duterte says he could bring back martial law

Monday, January 16, 2017 - 01:04

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he would impose martial law if the country's bloody war on drugs demanded it, triggering memories of a decade of suffering under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Graham Mackay reports.

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A flashback to a painful point in the history of the Philippines.
Just one month after President Rodrigo Duterte dismissed the idea of ever declaring martial law, he now says he'd consider handing power to the military, if his bloody war on drugs demanded it. For a large part of the population, it's a chilling reminder of some of the country's darkest days.
The Philippines endured a decade of martial law under the feared dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the 1970s and 80s. Thousands of people were killed, tortured or thrown in prison - a grim chapter still fresh in the minds of many.
Today, the rules on martial law are vastly different. The Philippines constitution now only allows it to be brought in for a maximum of 60 days,
but whether Duterte feels restricted by the rules is anyone's guess.
He says when it comes to this decision, no one can stop him, and there are no limitations.

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